Global Significance of Springs and the IUCN Springs Task Force.

Authors: Joseph Holway, Chouly Ou

Year: 2025

Abstract

Springs are among the most biologically diverse and socio-ecologically significant ecosystems on Earth. Despite their small footprint, they serve as global hotspots of biodiversity, often supporting endemic species found nowhere else. Yet despite their extraordinary importance, springs have long been overlooked in conservation planning and policy. At the recent 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, Motion 016 on the conservation of springs was adopted as a formal resolution, marking an important milestone in bringing international recognition, visibility, and coordination to these critical ecosystems. Building from this success, we are spearheading two complementary global initiatives to advance science, policy, and action to safeguard springs. The IUCN Springs Task Force will serve as a scientific and policy working group under the IUCN framework, dedicated to identifying research priorities, establishing global guidelines for springs protection, and promoting policy mechanisms that formally recognize springs as essential ecosystems. In parallel, the Global Springs Alliance will unite Indigenous people and local communities, land managers, funders, and conservation practitioners to mobilize investments and coordinated actions that promote on-the-ground restoration, monitoring, and protection of springs across regions and continents. At this year’s Desert Fishes Council meeting, we will present the vision, scope, and structure of these initiatives, invite participation from the springs and freshwater science community, and outline next steps for collaborative research and conservation action. Together, these efforts aim to build a global movement that ensures the long-term protection of springs and the extraordinary life they sustain.